Planning Solicitor Salary in South Gloucestershire 2026

Salary benchmarks for planning solicitors in South Gloucestershire, from newly qualified (NQ) through to 8+ PQE, broken down by firm size. Includes paralegal, legal secretary and fee earner ranges. Data is based on market benchmarking across 9 regulated firms in the area.

View Planning firms and jobs in South Gloucestershire

Qualified Solicitor Salaries

Annual salary ranges for planning solicitors in South Gloucestershire by experience level and firm type. Mid-point figures shown; hover or expand for full range.

ExperienceHigh Street / BoutiqueRegional / Mid-sizeCity / NationalIn-house
Newly qualified (0-1 PQE)£41,500
£33,000£49,500
£45,500
£36,500£54,500
£52,000
£41,500£62,000
£47,500
£38,000£57,000
2-3 PQE£47,500
£37,500£57,000
£52,000
£41,500£62,500
£59,500
£47,500£71,500
£54,500
£43,000£66,000
4-5 PQE£55,000
£43,500£66,500
£60,500
£48,500£73,500
£69,000
£54,500£83,500
£63,500
£50,000£77,000
6-8 PQE£65,500
£49,500£81,000
£72,000
£54,500£89,000
£82,000
£62,000£101,000
£75,000
£57,000£93,000
8+ PQE£73,500
£57,000£96,500
£81,000
£62,500£106,500
£92,000
£71,500£121,000
£84,500
£66,000£111,000

Figures are regional estimates for guidance only. Actual salaries vary by firm, candidate profile, and negotiation.

Salary by Firm Size

How planning solicitor pay varies across firm types in South Gloucestershire. NQ salaries shown; the premium for larger firms widens with seniority.

High Street / Boutique

£41,500

NQ (typical)

Range: £33,000£49,500

8+ PQE: up to £96,500

Regional / Mid-size

£45,500

NQ (typical)

Range: £36,500£54,500

8+ PQE: up to £106,500

City / National

£52,000

NQ (typical)

Range: £41,500£62,000

8+ PQE: up to £121,000

In-house

£47,500

NQ (typical)

Range: £38,000£57,000

8+ PQE: up to £111,000

Non-qualified Roles

Salary benchmarks for support and fee-earning roles in South Gloucestershire planning teams. Figures use a mid-size firm baseline.

Paralegal

ExperienceHigh Street / BoutiqueRegional / Mid-sizeCity / NationalIn-house
Less than 1 year£25,500
£24,500£27,000
£27,000
£25,500£29,000
£27,000
£25,500£29,000
£28,500
£27,000£31,000
1-3 years£26,000
£25,000£28,500
£28,500
£26,500£31,000
£28,500
£26,500£31,000
£30,500
£28,000£32,500
3-5 years£28,000
£26,000£31,000
£30,500
£28,000£33,500
£30,500
£28,000£33,500
£32,000
£29,500£35,500
5+ years£30,500
£27,500£34,000
£33,000
£30,000£37,000
£33,000
£30,000£37,000
£35,000
£31,500£39,000

Legal Secretary / PA

ExperienceHigh Street / BoutiqueRegional / Mid-sizeCity / NationalIn-house
Less than 1 year£25,500
£24,500£27,000
£25,500
£24,500£27,000
£25,500
£24,500£27,000
£27,000
£26,000£28,500
1-3 years£26,000
£25,000£27,500
£26,500
£25,000£28,000
£26,500
£25,000£28,000
£28,000
£26,500£29,500
3-5 years£26,500
£25,500£28,000
£27,500
£25,500£29,500
£27,500
£25,500£29,500
£29,000
£27,000£31,500
5+ years£27,000
£26,000£30,500
£29,500
£27,000£33,000
£29,500
£27,000£33,000
£31,500
£28,500£35,000

Fee Earner / Legal Executive

ExperienceHigh Street / BoutiqueRegional / Mid-sizeCity / NationalIn-house
Less than 1 year£27,500
£26,000£30,500
£30,000
£28,000£33,000
£30,000
£28,000£33,000
£31,500
£29,500£35,000
1-3 years£29,500
£27,000£32,500
£32,000
£29,500£35,500
£32,000
£29,500£35,500
£34,000
£31,500£37,500
3-5 years£33,000
£29,500£37,000
£36,000
£32,000£39,500
£36,000
£32,000£39,500
£38,000
£34,000£42,500
5+ years£37,000
£32,000£43,000
£39,500
£35,000£46,500
£39,500
£35,000£46,500
£42,500
£37,500£49,500

Planning Firms in South Gloucestershire

Regulated planning firms in South Gloucestershire on the SRA register. Salaries above reflect the market across these firms.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the salary for a newly qualified planning solicitor in South Gloucestershire?

A newly qualified planning solicitor in South Gloucestershire earns between £36,500 and £54,500 at a mid-size regional firm, with a typical mid-point of £45,500. City or national firms may pay significantly more.

What does a planning solicitor earn at 4–5 PQE in South Gloucestershire?

At 4 to 5 years post-qualification experience, a planning solicitor in South Gloucestershire earns between £48,500 and £73,500 at a regional firm, with a mid-point of £60,500.

How does firm size affect planning solicitor salaries in South Gloucestershire?

Firm size has a significant impact on salary. At NQ level in South Gloucestershire, a high street or boutique firm typically pays around £41,500, while a City or national firm may pay £52,000 or more. The premium widens at senior levels, where large firms can pay substantially above regional norms.

What is the salary for a paralegal in South Gloucestershire in 2026?

Paralegal salaries in South Gloucestershire start at around £25,500 for entry-level positions and rise to £37,000 or more with 5+ years of experience, based on 2026 benchmarking data.

Where does LawBoard salary data come from?

LawBoard salary benchmarks are derived from market data covering law firms registered with the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Figures are adjusted for region and practice area using established market multipliers. They represent typical ranges for guidance only and are updated periodically.

Firm data sourced from the Solicitors Regulation Authority register. Salary benchmarks are regional estimates for guidance only and are not specific to any individual firm. Recruitment support available via RecQuest.